2008 The Loom Riesling, Clare Valley
Smoky mineral notes on the nose with fresh, intense apple and lime flavours, a suggestion of petrol, refreshing acidity and just a touch of sweetness to balance it. This is textbook dry Clare Valley riesling at a very reasonable price. Drink it as an aperitif or with lightweight, lightly spiced dishes. 13% abv.
Laithwaites
2007 Nos Riqueza Ribera del Duero
Full, savoury and gamey with polished, sweet, spicy fruit. There’s an attractive feeling of maturity and balance about this, but it’s fresh, too. Not one to lay down for long, but excellent, affordable Ribera del Duero. 13.5%
£9.99, Marks & Spencer
1990 Vin Santo del Chanti Rufina
M&S brought this in last year and I’ve just tasted it again. Fabulous stuff. Deep amber in colour, with a nose that combines sherry-like rancio characters with dried fruit, ginger, marmalade, baked toffee and toasted almonds. It all comes through in wonderful concentration and length on the palate – dried apricots, sultanas, marmalade, ginger, nuts, a mellow woodiness and orangey acidity. The effect is medium sweet, so don’t sabotage it with a sticky, creamy pudding. Sip it on its own or with Parmesan, nuts, biscuits, panettone, spicy almond or citrus cakes. 17% abv.
£14.99 for 37.5cl, Marks & Spencer
